Acquiring Jimmy Butler Would Completely Deplete the Rockets' Cap Space

The Houston Rockets have acquired about the 76ers star Jimmy Butler, but despite their inquisitions, there are huge risks associated with a potential sign-and-trade. The Rockets would essentially deplete all possible cap room to get a deal done given how much they owe on James Harden and Chris Paul's max deals, as well as Clint Capela's bloated contract. And that's going to cause problems for them given the inevitable lack of bench help they'd be stuck with.

Capela and Eric Gordon are both owed $14 million next season, and there would be plenty of teams who would jump on the opportunity to acquire their services. Moving them would help in a Butler trade, but the Rockets would essentially be unable to field much of any depth on their roster without going even further into the luxury tax, something owner Tilman Fertitta has been surprisingly skittish about.

With Butler declining his 76ers player option worth $19 million and becoming a free agent, the Rockets have eyed a sign-and-trade with Philadelphia as a means of consummating a deal. But the lack of cap flexibility that would set in for the Rockets as a result could create a whole new set of problems for Daryl Morey and Co.